The KID

I have always hated playing the kid, but watched a video by the Cow girl.  Another video had a similar set up. An early h3 followed up by a queen behind the dark bishop.

Here is an example from a recent game

Any advice on how to better attack the black king?

Cool

Opening up the h file seems to be the main idea. Using white's dark.square bishop to prevent h5 is key.

I read this part before I looked at the moves of your game. So I thought maybe you muffed the attack or something. But it looks like you knew what you were doing! The only slight improvement I could suggest is not playing Bh6xBg7 until the last possible moment. Play h4-h5 first, and maybe h5xg6, only then take on g7. Once the black king takes back it no longer has to defend g7 and so is free to run. Although in your game it didn't get far.

Black played the position wrong.

The main moves are Na6 or c5.

I have always liked 6…c5.

The position turns into a Benoni/Benko type of position.

Thanks yet, that was the fine tuning I was asking for.

Compadre, I am interested in the white side against the kid.

Not at all. 6...c5 is answered with 7.d5, and after an eventual ...e6/exd5 white will recapture with the e-pawn- these positions are quite cramped and lacking the typical queenside counterplay by Black.

But yes, apparently that ...Nb6/a5/d5 stuff by Black is suicidal. Complete lack of understanding.

You’re not understanding what I am saying!

When White plays 5.h3, I don’t play a Kings Indian Defense.

There are to many White Side Variations which will cause Black to get destroyed if they try to continue playing in a normal KID fashion!

Black best approach, in my opinion, is to transpose the line into a Benoni/Benko type of position!

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In the 5.h3 line, White has several different ways to play.

- 1 Way White can play is g4 or g3 + Fianchetto

It’s a very positional cramping sort of position.

- 2 Way White can play is Be3 + Qd2 + Queen Side Castles with an idea of doing Kingside Pawn Storm.

It’s a very aggressive position trying to mate Black on H file.

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Basically, I think Black should try to play c5 instead of e5 against h3.

The e5 + f5 pawn pushes are more in the style of the KID.

The c5 + b5 pawn pushes are more in the a style of the Benoni/Benko.

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I have seen title players say Black can play e5 in the h3 line, but my Gosh those games are pretty outrageous if you ask me.

Black is literally doing a balancing act on Razor Blades. 1 Slip and it’s all over!

I have never recommended for players to play in KID fashion against h3.

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This is more or less how the game plays out in the C5 line.

The Black position is like a Benoni.

The Black side player will play stuff like e6 + Na6 to

Now I see what you are saying, thanks. I am glad to know that I found a good response to the KID. At my level I think most will just keep playing it.

Your Welcome!

I want to share with you a sample game which was played by 2 players 1500 to 1600 rating range!

The game is full of errors, but I’m just trying to show you how the 5.h3 line can be very deadly which is why I recommend players playing the Black side to avoid playing in Normal KID Fashion!

White is playing the 5.h3 line with the aggressive g4 + Be3 line.

Look how easy it is for Black to all of a sudden come under serious pressure!

Black played the normal e5 move which most KID players will play.

Black played the Ne8 + f5 expansion idea which is another staple idea in the KID.

White opening is sneaky because it’s trying to prey on Blacks normal ideas and moves!

The game had errors, but the point is this sort of thing will happen!

The OP is rated 1k.

The players in game are 1.6k and they are playing this way!

A lot of players are going to play this way as Black if they haven’t faced the 5.h3 line before.

Black expansion his King Side pawns only to be met by White Rooks staring down the Black King!

Thats the danger for sure that Black has to deal with which is why I think long term the OP is going to need to figure out what to do against c5.

Black playing c5 vs. e5 does seem less dangerous and easier for Black to play.

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I don’t play the White position of these lines so I can’t really give good advice on what White should do.

However, I play the Black side of these positions and can at least confirm the dangers which exist for Black vs. 5. h3 line.

I also know the ideas behind the 5.h3 line.

I never played it, but in order for me to beat it with Black pieces I had to understand what my opponent was trying to do with the White pieces.